Source: Team_Talk
Hughes is Zamora convert
Mark Hughes is happy to have revised his opinion of Bobby Zamora and believes the Fulham striker has yet to reach his peak.[LNB] Zamora, a target for Liverpool and Birmingham during the summer transfer window, today signed a new four-year contract that will keep him at Craven Cottage until 2014.[LNB]It continues a remarkable transformation for the 29-year-old England striker who only last November was being jeered by a section of his own fans.[LNB]Hughes admits to failing to appreciate Zamora's influence until his own arrival in south west London but having been converted, he was determined to keep him at all costs.[LNB]"Bobby's a good player and I've been really impressed with what I've seen," he said.[LNB]"Maybe I underestimated his ability like many other people have.[LNB]"But having worked with him on a daily basis I've been very impressed with the way he brings team-mates into the game.[LNB]"He's a big lad who can look after himself, which is important, and when he's in full flow he's difficult to stop.[LNB]"He's a big part of our focus as an attacking team. I like his personality and he's very popular.[LNB]"There's more to come from him. He's 29 and that's when strikers reach their best.[LNB]"They mature and understand how they can be effective in games, which only comes from experience.[LNB]"We think we'll get his best years and that's why we've signed him until 2014.[LNB]"To get him signed up again is a feather in our cap. He's happy here and is happy with the environment.[LNB]"There was interest from other clubs in Bobby because he's a good player but he was never going to leave."[LNB]Zamora won his only cap as a second-half substitute in last month's 2-1 victory over Hungary and Hughes insists he can become a regular for England.[LNB]"Bobby's made the international breakthrough and he did really well in the cameo he had," he said.[LNB]"If he keeps his current form then he'll get other chances because there seems to be a window of change with England at the moment."[LNB]Fulham are hoping to clinch their first Barclays Premier League victory of the season against Wolves tomorrow after their opening three games ended in draws.[LNB]Wolves were involved in a bruising encounter with Newcastle before the international break but Hughes denies they overstep the mark.[LNB]"The game against Newcastle was a bit aggressive and that was flagged up," he said. "But I don't think Wolves are too physical. They're always competitive which is no bad thing. I like my teams to be competitive as well.[LNB]"If you can also get the team playing fluent and technically adept football alongside being competitive, that's a situation you want to cultivate.[LNB]"Wolves will be fine this year. Mick underplays the potential he has in his squad this season.[LNB]"He said he's be happy just to stay up but I think potentially they're due a better season than that."
